By Dr Hannah Mortimer
(QEd, 6, 01785 620364)
Reviewed by Janice McKinley, Area SENCO
This small book provides early years practitioners with concise advice, taking them through the process of writing an inclusion policy step by step but stressing that writing is the easy part - 'putting it into practice and providing evidence that you do so is the greater challenge'.
The author starts by asking, 'What is inclusion?' and other important questions. However, she does not mention how essential an understanding of the social model of disability would be to their inclusion journey. Next, she outlines the legal requirements and the key points to cover in a policy to ensure it is a living, breathing document that reflects the values of everyone in the setting.
The chapter on 'Planning your SEN policy' offers practical ideas for inclusive play. The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 and Race Relations Amendment Act 2000 are explored along with some additional ideas to support anti -discriminatory practice. I feel the importance of training for practitioners should have been highlighted in these chapters, particularly when using persona dolls. Chapters 7 and 8 explain what is needed in a behaviour policy and anti bullying policy, giving useful examples. The final chapter provides a framework for practitioners to write their own inclusion policy.
